Yeah, Microsoft locked me out of my account for like a year, until I got sick of it and needed to use my XBox again. I forget what actually prompted me to fix it, but there was QUITE a lot of flaming hoops to jump through. Considering the phone number they had on file was invalid, and it wouldn't let me know what it was or change it since it needed to be verified first

I have to agree, I've never had any issues with Google. I've had a GMail since it was invite-only. Didn't actually use it until I got my first smart phone that required an email link. But ever since then it's been my main email service. I have a Windows phone now, so I have to pay attention to my hotmail just as much. But I haven't had any issues with that for a few years now either. But yeah. When I first came across microsoft's account issues, it was a couple days of craziness. So I can completely understand

I don't know why you would hate Gmail so much, but really, I'd say they're your best bet at the moment if Yahoo is going to be that stupid. But if you want to use Hotmail, it's not a lost cause (or at least it shouldn't be), and if you're like me, once you get through those hoops it won't be so bad. Just make sure you update everything in your profile once you get in, so changing your password the next time you forget won't be so bad. I've had to reset my hotmail a couple of times since, but it hasn't been nearly the headache as that first time. Which seems to be what EVERY time is for you and Yahoo. And I would have given up on that right quick. But I dunno

What browser do you use? I've gotten to the point where I have Google Chrome tell me what my passwords are for certain sites because I get tired of forgetting and having to reset. I assume Firefox and Opera also have a password storage thing you can look at somewhere in the settings. It's quite handy. No post-it note required